April 5, 2016, Prescott- This past weekend, I was able to break this 6-mile section of juniper pine forest, quartz and gray granite into two hikes. It was prudent, due to a commitment here in town, each day. It also gave me more time to focus on the features of each part of the segment.
Saturday’s jaunt began at White Spar North Trailhead, going 3.5 miles to the junction with Quartz Mountain Trail. The entire segment is Wolverton Mountain Trail, about which more later.
Above, are three scenes at the south end of the trail. Even this close to White Spar, there are many small fragments of pink quartz. The trail is rather flat, for the first 2 miles or so, until past this magnificent view of a local observatory, privately-run, and of the majestic San Francisco Peaks, seventy miles northeast, as the hawk flies. The Granite Dells may be seen, holistically, in the midground.
The East Peak of Quartz Mountain, seen in the next two frames, signals a slightly more rugged terrain.

East Peak, Quartz Mountain
I noticed small wonders along the way, as well, including this white quartz(below) and the upper jaw bone of a hapless raccoon, which I have left out of this gallery.

White quartz, at foot of East Peak, Quartz Mountain
This area was filled with blooming manzanita, another special treat.

Manzanita in bloom, near Quartz Mountain
The stopping point gave me incentive for a Sunday completion of the segment, starting then from Aspen Creek Trailhead, off Copper Basin Road. As this was done after a Sunday brunch, I was grateful for a somewhat more strenuous trail.
Here is the junction with Quartz Mountain Trail.

Stopping place for hike on 4/2/2016
It’s all looking pretty dry. Is Quartz Mountain where the bad fire was a few years ago? Love the shot of the manzanita!
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The forest is indeed worryingly dry. There was a bad fire here, in 2002- the Indian Fire. Its effects are still very visible. I will be mentioning it in the next post.
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I can smell the sage and juniper! Thanks for bringing me back to the desert!
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There are several cacti atop Quartz Mountain, as you will see.
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looks lovely and serine, the kind of place you want to go to track and relax your mind
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Desert and forest alike, indeed bring me solace.
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Embarking on your trails again must have been very exciting.
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It always is!
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I know a song about Wolverton Mountain. Love the peaks in the distance. My loved ones can see those too. Wish I could see them more. 😦 Blessings on your hikes!
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Claude King was probably singing about somewhere in the Ozarks, but I thought of him, the whole time I was up on that trail.
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